Gas blast switch



Nov. 27, 1934. s'. RUPPEL 1,982,355

GAS BLAST SWITCH Original Filed July 29, 1929 Inventor SEV/amt Ruppel.jz7 )QH His ttohnfg.

Patented Nav.r 21, 1934 UNITED STATI-:s

GAS BLAST SWITCH Sigwart Ruppel, Berlin, Germany Original applicationJuly 29, 1929, Serial No.

381,945, now Patentv No. 1,947,230, dated February 13, 1934. Divided andthis application l September 23, 1933, Serial No. 690,682. In GermanyAugust 6, 1928 12 Claims.

, separation of the switch contacts is extinguished by a blast of gasdirected across the arc gap,

and has for its principal object the provision of an improved switch ofthe gas-blast type.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.381,945, ied July 29, 1929, for Electric circuit breaker, now Patent1,947,230, issued February 13, 1934.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following descriptionreferring to the accompanying drawing and the features of novelty whichcharacterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. l is a fragmentary view, partly insection, of switch contact structure embodying one form of my invention;Fig. 2 is a view taken along the section line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is aview, partly in section, of aI double break switch illustrating anotherform of my invention; Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section,of a modified form of my invention; Fig. 5 is a plan view in section ofthe structure shown along line 5-5 of Fig. 4, andvFig. 6 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 4 showing the switch lin the open circuit position.

. A gas blast arrangement for interrupting arcs formed upon opening of acircuit is shown in Figs.. 1 and 2 and comprises a multiple series.

break, each break being simultaneously sub- Jected to a radial gasblast. The switchl contacts of`a single break are arranged to separatethe gas blast therethrough so that at some particular moment' the arc issubjected to conditions l most.`favorab1e to interruption thereof. l

More specifically, the arrangement in Figs. 1 and, 2 comprises a pair ofdisc-like members 1 and 2 having complementary configurations andcoacting in a manner hereinafter described to form both the switchcasing and relatively movable contact structure. In thepresent case thedisc-like members 1 and 2 have formed therein bulged portions l' and 2',respectively, arranged so that when the members are superimposed and incontact, the bulged portion of one disc and-the corresponding portion ofthe other disc form a nozzle-shaped chamber between the same. This isclearly shown in Fig. 1, the throat portion of each nozzle-shapedchamber being closed when the circuit is complete.

The coacting contacts 3 and 4 of each set are arranged in pairs and aremounted on the discs 1 and 2, respectively, adjacent the restricted partof the corresponding nozzle-shaped chamber. The contacts upon separationthereof l are accordingly in the path of a high velocity blast when gasis directed from said chamber to exhaust through said restricted part.

For the purpose of guiding the gas blast through each nozzle-likechamber so that the blast may be more effectively directed across thecorresponding pair of contacts during the separation thereof, the outerportions of the discs may be arched to form side walls 5 of suchdimensions that the coacting walls overlap in the closed position of theswitch. It will, therefore, be seen that during the initial switchopening movement when the disc members are moved laterally away fromeach other the coacting wall members still confine flow of gas withinthe nozzle-like chambers.

'I'he blast for extinguishing arcing is supplied from any suitablesource of pressure as indicated by the pipe 6 which is in communicationwith the central ychamber 7 formed by ther members l and 2. The gasunder pressure is deected, as by a cone-shaped member 8 mounted on thedisc 1, and flows radially towards the periphery of each disc where itis divided into three jets exhausting through the respectivenozzle-shaped chambers and across the arcs formed between the contactsat the throat passages.

For the purpose of effecting opening of the switch, the disc member 1may be guided for lateral movement, as by a guide rod 9, so that theforce of the blast entering the central chamber 'I causes separation ofthe disc members 1 and 2. It will be apparent that the member 1 may besuitably biased, as by a spring (not shown), into engagement with thecoacting member 2.

During opening ofthe switch the blast from the central chamber 'I isdirected across each pair of contacts 3 and 4 immediately uponseparation thereof in a most effective manner since the contacts arelocated ad/jacent the restricted or throat portion of the chamber wherethe arcrupturing action of the `blast is most effective. Although thenozzle-shaped chambers confine the gasblast only during initialseparation of the-contacts, the blast during this period is generallysuilicient to interrupt arcing.

'I'he coacting pairs of contacts 3 and 4 may be formed of any suitablematerial, as copper or tungsten for example, and are preferably streamlined in shape as illustrated by Fig. 2 so that minimum resistance isoffered to the flow of gas through the nozzle-like passages. 'I'hey mayalso be constructed so that they conform almost completely to theoutline of the switch casing. Auxiliary arcing contacts of materialresistant to vaporization may also be provided if desired.

It will also be apparent that each ydisc may be provided with radialribs forming the wall structure of the nozzle-like passages. The discmembers may be covered with insulation, as ceramic pair of disc members.

material, or they may be constructed wholly or partially of suchmaterial.

Fig.- 2 shows more clearly a triple break arrangement, it being obviousthat the breaks may be either in series or in parallel, or if desired,as single breaks in a three-phase circuit. Flexible conductors (notshown) may be used in a wellknown manner to connect the respectivecontacts in the circuit, or circuits, to be controlled as desired.

The. operation of certain types of switches, as disconnect switches inhigh tension transmission systems for example, may involve theinterruption of a high tension, low current arc in air. In such switchesthe arc is generally rapidly lengthened in air along horn vgaps or thelike until the arc finally breaks. However, the arc may persistrequiring several reclosures and openings before the arc breaks. Theapplication of the gas blast principle to this type of switch isparticularly advantageous since a low current arc is readily disruptedand extinguished by the gas blast.

Fig. 3 discloses a disconnect switch embodying the principles disclosedby Figs. 1 and 2. In this arrangement there are two breaks in series,one break formed by a pair of coacting disc members 10 and 11 generallyof the character above described and the other break by a similar pairof members 12 and 13. An annular passage, nozzleshaped incross sectionis formed by the complementary coniigurations of the disc member of eachpair when the same are separated.

The members 11 and 13 are mounted upon and' interconnected by aconducting bridging arm 14 pivotally mounted as at 15 so that rotationof the arm 14 causes engagement and disengagement of the coacting pairsof disc members. The. arrangement, however, may be such that the seriesbreaks are disposed in a straight line, as where lateral movement of theinterconnecting arm causes engagement and disengagement of the switchcontacts.

As in the previous instance, the gas blast is directed from a source ofpressure indicatedA by the arrows to a central chamber formed by eachThe central chamber 16 formed by the discs 10 and 11 is in communicationwith the gas supply pipe 17 and the chamber 18 is similarly incommunication with a supply pipe 19. It will be apparentthat the supplypipes 17 and 19 may branch from a single line so as to be controlled byone valve, opening of which admits gas under pressure simultaneously tothe chambers 16 and 18 causing immediate clockwise rotation of the arm14 and separation of the coacting disc members.

At the instant of separation of the disc members 10 and 11 for example.the gas blast from the central chamber 16 issues radially towards theperiphery of the discs and through an annular nozzle-like passage formedbetween the discs. Since the arc is initially drawn at the contacting orthroat portion 16 of this annular passage..

the gas blast is particularly effective to interrupt the arc duringinitial separation of the discs.

In order to insure high speed of separation of the disc contacts, thedisadvantages of overranged to engage the collar 24 when the disccontacts.

12 reaches its limit of movement under bias of spring 12'. l

The operation of the disconnect switch above described is believed to beapparent and may be summarized as follows: With the switch closedadmission of thel gas blast tothe central chambers 16 and 18 causesrepulsion of the discs 11 and 13 tending to rotate the arm 14 inclockwise direction. The coacting contact discs 10 .and 12, however,remain in following engagement with the discs 11 and 13 respectively fora certain distance beyond which immediate and high speed separation lofthe contact 4structure occurs. The instantaneous radial blast across thearc is efiective to extinguish the same. It will, therefore, be notedthat high speed separation of the `contacts is always concurrent with aneffective gas blast. 'I'he switch closing operation may be effected in asuitable manner, as by the release 29, into con'tact thereby closing thegas passage 115 A within the Yswitch casing. The switch contacts 25 and26 may, however, be biased together by springs or the like which arereleased in response to certain applied pressure tending to open theOpening of the contacts is effected by direction of the gas blastthrough casing 27 in the direction indicated, the pressure causingopposite rotation of the contacts about the respective pivotal supports30 and 31 andformation of a nozzle-like passage between the contacts.The side walls of the gas passageare formed by complementary telescopicinsulating members 25 and 26 which are co-pivotally mounted on casing 27with contacts 25 and 26 respectively so asv to be movable therewithas'130.

`subjected to the direct actionof thev gasv blast tending to blast thearc through the diverging exhaust portion of the passage. For thepurpose of aiding interruption of the arc, the contacts 25 and 26 may beprovided with auxiliary arcing portions 32 and 33 which are composed ofmetal resistant to vaporization, as tungsten for example. The arcis thennally broken at the tips of the arcing portions. lThe switch may beclosed in any suitable manner, as by releasing the contacts andpermitting springs 28 and 29 to bias the same into engagement, thespecic means 'holding the contacts open forming no part of the presentinvention. y

As in the previous instances, the shape of the nozzle-like passagethrough which the gas blast is directed varies during contact,separation so 150 like passage.

that the arc at some particular moment is sub- Jected to the mosteffective interrupting action of the blast thereby resulting in rapidinterruption of the arc.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specincdetails of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, andthat changes and modifications may occur to -one skilled in the artwithout departing fromythe spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

l. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising relativelymovable contact structure, said contact structure having complementaryconfigurations forming therebetween a nomlelike gas passage including arestricted portion during separation thereof, and means for directinggas at high velocity to said contact structure for causing separation ofthe same .at said restricted portion, said gas exhausting between saidstructure and through said nozzle-like passage.

2. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising relativelymovable contact structure.

said contact structure having complementary configurations formingtherebetweena nozzlelike gas passage including a restricted portion whensaid contact structure is separated, said contact structure arranged .toengage at the points deiined by the restricted portion of said passage,and means for directing gas under pressure to said contact structure,said gas exhausting between said contact structure and through saidnozzle-like passage.

3. A circuit interrupter of .the gas-blast type comprising relativelymovable contact structure including means having complementaryconfigurations forming therebetween a chamber and a nozzle-like gaspassage in communication therewith, and means for directing gas underpressure to said chamber for causing separation of said contactstructure, said gas exhausting between said contact structure andthrough said nozzle- 4. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast typecomprising a pair of relatively movable disc-like contact members, saidcontact members having complementary configurations forming therebetweena central chamber, and means for directing gas under pressure to saidchamber for causing separation of said contact members, said gasexhausting radially between said contacts from said chamber.

5. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a pair ofrelatively movable disc-like members having complementary configurationsforming therebetween a gas chamber and a plurality of radially disposednozzle-like gas passages communicating with said chamber, coactingcontacts carried by said members respectively at the restricted portionsof said passages, and means for directing gas under pressure to saidchamber for causing separation of said members, said gas exhaustingbetween said contacts and through said radially disposed passages.

6. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising relativelymovable disc-like contacts, said contacts-having complementarycongurations forming therebetween a central chamber and a diverging gaspassage at the peripheries thereof during separation of the contacts,and means for directing gas under pressure to said chamber, said gasexhausting between said contacts and radially through said divergingpassage.

7. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a pair ofrelatively movable contacts, said` contacts having complementarycongurations adapted to form a central chamber and an annular divergingpassage communicating therewith, and means for directing gas underpressure to said chamber causing separation of said contacts, said gasexhausting radially between said contacts through said annular divertingpassage.

8. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast ftype" comprising a pair ofrelatively movable contacts, said contacts having complementaryconfigurations adapted to form therebetween a gas passage having arestricted portion, means for directing gas under pressure through saidpassage causing separation of said contacts, said gas exhausting fromsaid passage between said contacts to extinguish'arcing at saidrestricted portion, a second pair of similarly constructed contacts, anda bridging member interconnecting a movable contact of each of saidpairs of contacts, said bridging member being centrally pivoted andarranged with respect to said pairs of contacts so that the gas pressureat each pair of contacts tends to rotatey said bridging member causingopening movement of the movable contacts.

9. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a pair ofrelatively movable contacts, said contacts in the closed circuitposition forming therebetween a chamber adapted to receive gas from thesource of pressure, admission of gas under pressure to said chambercausing separation of said contacts, and means biasing said contactsinto limited following engagement during the initial movement thereof,separation of g said contacts being accompanied by a blast of gas fromsaid chamber exhausting between said contacts.

10. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a pair ofrelatively movable contacts, said contacts having complementarycongurartions forming a chamber therebetween in the closed circuitposition, said chamber adapted to receive gasVy from the source ofpressure, and

means resiliently biasing said contacts into limj;

ited following engagement for effecting high speed separation during thecircuit opening movement, admission of gas under pressure to saidchamber tending to force apart said contacts so that separation thereofis concurrent with an arc extinguishing blast of gas from said chamberto exhaust between the contacts.

11. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a easingforming a gas passage therein, and a pair of opposed contacts pivotallymounted on said casing over the exhaust of said gas passage, admissionofy gas under pressure to said passage causing an are extinguishingblast between said contacts, said contacts being shaped so as to form anozzle-like exhaust passage theref between during separation thereof.

12. A circuit interrupter of the gas-blast type comprising a pair ofrelatively movable contacts, means pivotally mounting each of saidcontacts, means resiliently biasing said contacts together, saidcontacts being shaped so that a diverging gas passage is formed betweenthe same upon separation thereof, and means forming a gas passage acrossthe exhaust of which said contacts are positioned, admission of gasunder pressure to said passage causing blowing apart of said contestsand exhaust of an arc extinguishing blast through the diverging passageformed therebetween.

SIGWART RUPPEL.

